XN000022-1974-11-27 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, NOVAMES 27, 1974

FURTHERMORE, HE SAID THE OBJECT OF THE BILL WAS NOT TO RESTRICT THE USE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO HELP SAFEGUARD IT FROM THE THOUGHTLESS OR CARELESS ACTIONS OF THE FEW SO THAT IT MIGHT BE PRESERVED AND ENJOYED BY THE MANY.

MEANWHILE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF FACILITIES IN AREAS MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT, NAMELY APPROVED BARBECUE PLACES AND PICNIC PLACES WHERE BARBECUES ARE PROHIBITED.

UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE TO SET UP ANY FIRE IN ANY PLACE, EXCEPT AT THE PITS PROVIDED AT APPROVED BARBECUE PLACES. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A $2,000 FINE AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT.

SIGNS CLEARLY IDENTIFYING THE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF

PICNIC AREAS ARE ALREADY POSTED IN THESE PLACES.

THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED THAT THERE ARE NO OFFICIAL BARBECUE FACILITIES IN AREAS NOT MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT. HE URGED PICNICKERS ALSO TO REFRAIN FROM LIGHTING ANY FIRE THERE, AND HE ADVISED THAT WHEN THE FIRE DANGER RATING IS HIGH VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE SHOULD BRING A COLD PICNIC AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BARBECUE PICNIC BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF FIRE SPREADING.

+ IF PEOPLE MUST HAVE A FIRE FOR BARBECUE IN SUCH AREAS THEY SHOULD DO SO AT LOCATIONS FAR AWAY FROM ANY VEGETATION OR WOODS, FOR INSTANCE ON A BEACH OR A FOCKY RIVER BANK. BUT EVEN SO, THEY SHOULD NOT LIGHT ANY FIRE ON THE BEACH OR RIVER BANK WHEN THE FIRE DANGER RATING IS RED OR YELLOW.+

HE ADDED THAT IT WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR PICNICKERS TO COMPLETELY PUT OUT ANY FIRE AFTER USE.

IN THE EVENT OF AN OUTBREAK OF A HILL FIRE, PICNICKERS OR ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN AND SHOULD HELP PUT IT OUT BY STAMPING ON IT OR BY BEATING IT WITH BRANCHES. IF THE FIRE GOT CUT OF HAND, THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE INFORMED IMMEDIATELY.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED PICNICKERS TO TAKE ADVICE RENDERED BY PATROLLING FOREST GUARDS WHOSE DUTIES ARE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO PROTECT THE VEGETATION.

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